Projects - NMGH: North Manchester House, North Manchester General Hospital

Commercial Projects

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NMGH Offices: North Manchester House

North Manchester General Hospital

Sector: Commercial, Healthcare & Offsite

Background
ESS Modular appointed bpArchitecture to work as part of the design team on a Design and Build construction project for a temporary office building which will act as an enabling project for a wider strategic redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital.

Ethos
Utilising Offsite Modular Construction techniques allowed the building to be designed and delivered in a short time frame, to a tight budget and offers the opportunity to re-use and relocate the individual modules once the temporary requirement has exceeded.

The building was to be erected as a four storey block over a former car park to the side of the Hosipitals admin department. The building will be used to decant office staff from across the hospital campus whilst their departments are rebuilt on a phased basis.

Design Solution
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Facilities
The four-storey building provides two office suites per floor, providing, 277 work desks [exc management suite]. Each of these office areas is split into two zones with central open plan meeting tables.

Each office area has two Quiet rooms providing a single desk workspace for staff to book to attend on line meeting or for Quiet working.

Over the four floors 16 Meeting rooms provide bookable meeting space ranging from 4 person, 6 peerson, 8 person..

The North office suite on the top floor is designed as a Management suite containing Reception waiting area, 14 admin desks, 8 Single Person Offices, Managers Office, 2 Quiet rooms, 2 4 person Meeting rooms and a 10 person Board room.

The Central Core contains an internal stsaircase and lift, Male, Female and Assisted WC's, Assisted Shower room, Comms room and Stores.

To the rear of the central core, on each floor a Tea Station and Staff rest area is provided, with break out work space.

There are two external means of escape staircases located to the north and south of the building, the south one is screened for its full height to improve the aspect facing residential properties adjacent. the north staircase is screened at ground foor. .

Effects of the Pandemic
In light of the coronavirus pandemic the work spaces were designed to comply with social distanced working. Privacy screens were provided to three sides of each desk, and chairs were set out to ensure there staff could be passed with 1m clearance.

Landscape and External Works
Works also included provision for disabled parking spaces, bicycle storage and perimeter landscaping. Trees on the corner of the site were retained and underplanting planted along the verge with the adjacent access road.

Social Value
Consideration has been given to the daily working life of the staff working in the building. Office suites are carpeted and have high quality ceilign tiles to reduce noise in the office environment.

All windows on the two principle long elevaations are tilt and turn windows with anti glare glass, allowing for good natural cross flow ventilation. The space is heated with air source heat pumps.

Each floor is provided with in office break out meeting tables, break out meeting tables in the social space. Each floor is provided with a Tea Station, and a lounge area to provide rest and recreation. Quiet rooms are provided in each work area to allow staff to attend on line meetings or work quietly away from open plan work spaces.

Consideration has been given to staff safety with provision of security fencing to esacpe staircases, access control to all doors, and access constrol to a side garden area.

Improved cladding is provided to the main entrance area, canopy and south staircase to improve the overall appearance of what is a temporary building and make the workling life of staff as enjoyable as possible.

Image of Completed Works

Status: Completed March 2021
Value: £5.6m
Type: Temporary Modular Office
Contract: Design and Build
Client: North Manchester Greater Hospital
Architect: bpArchitecture
Project Manager: HIVE
Quantity Surveyor: ESS Modular
Structural Engineer: ESS Modular
Mechanical Consultant: YBS Ltd
Electrical Consultant: ECO-1
Acoustic Consultant: SOL Acoustics
Contractor: ESS Modular